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NBA: Utah 113, Denver 106

DENVER, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Al Jefferson's layup and free throw with 51 seconds left ended a Denver comeback bid Friday and helped the Utah Jazz fight off the Nuggets 113-106.

The Jazz jumped past Denver into second place in the Northwest Division, three games behind Oklahoma City.

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Utah had a 10-point lead with 5 minutes to play but Denver battled back to within three and had a chance to tie it when Arron Afflalo attempted a 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining. Afflalo missed the shot, however, and Raja Bell claimed the rebound for Utah.

That led to Jefferson's layup, which came as he was being fouled by Chauncey Billups.

The ensuing free throw gave Utah a 110-104 lead and Denver could not mount another charge. Utah handed the Nuggets just their sixth home loss of the season.

Jefferson made 12-of-20 shots and scored 28 points. Deron Williams added 26 for the Jazz and Bell had 20.

Carmelo Anthony delivered 31 points for Denver, 17 of them coming from the foul line.

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